Prince Albert National Park is waiving all reservation cancellation fees as the Buhl Wildfire has officially entered the northeast corner of the park, prompting officials to implement a pre-evacuation alert for visitors and residents.
The accommodation comes as the wildfire situation has significantly escalated since yesterday's emergency alert, with the fire now reported at 35,000 hectares, classified as "not contained" and reported to have entered the national park's boundaries by Saskatchewan wildfire management teams.
Park officials announced this morning:
"Prince Albert National Park is accepting reservation cancellations during the current pre-evacuation alert with waived cancellation fees"
Visitors wishing to cancel their reservations can contact the Visitor Centre directly at 1-306-663-4522.
Fire Situation Intensifies
The Buhl Wildfire, first reported on June 29, has now breached the park's northeastern boundary. Weather conditions reported in the July 14th situation report show temperatures at 21°C with relative humidity at just 29%, creating challenging firefighting conditions.
Winds are forecast to shift from north-northwest at 10-20 km/h gusting to 30 km/h, then switching to northerly winds of 15-25 km/h with gusts up to 35 km/h. Only minimal precipitation of less than 2mm is expected from scattered showers.
Emergency crews including Type 1 and Type 2 firefighting teams, heavy equipment operators, and helicopter support are actively engaged in suppression efforts. The fire poses immediate risks to several communities within 20 kilometers, including Weyakwin and the resort subdivision of Ramsey Bay.
Transportation and Access Impacts
Highway 916 remains closed due to the fire's proximity, affecting access routes to the park. Highway 2 is being closely monitored as a critical transportation corridor in the area.
The closure compounds yesterday's restrictions on the park's northern section, which included popular destinations such as the Kingsmere Wilderness Area, Crean Lake, and Heart Lakes.
What Visitors Should Know
Park officials are urging anyone currently in the area to:
- Consider leaving immediately if departure is possible
- Cancel reservations without penalty by calling 1-306-663-4522
- Monitor official channels for real-time updates
- Have evacuation plans ready for those choosing to remain
For the most current information, visitors should check the Important Bulletins section of the Prince Albert National Park website, follow the park's social media accounts on Facebook and X, or contact the Visitor Centre directly.
Ongoing Emergency Response
The pre-evacuation alert represents the latest escalation in what began as a wildfire emergency advisory issued Sunday evening. The situation remains fluid as firefighting crews work to contain the blaze under challenging weather conditions.
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